5.5 to 1 decimal place
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To round the number 5.5 to one decimal place, we need to follow the basic rules of rounding. Rounding to one decimal place means we look at the digit in the tenths place (the first digit after the decimal point) and determine whether to keep it the same or increase it based on the digit in the hundredths place (the second digit after the decimal point).
Here’s the step-by-step breakdown:
- Identify the tenths place:
In the number 5.5, the tenths place is 5. - Look at the hundredths place:
The number 5.5 has no digits in the hundredths place, which means the digit is considered to be 0 (5.50). - Apply the rounding rule:
When rounding to one decimal place, if the digit in the hundredths place is 5 or greater, we round up the tenths place. If it’s less than 5, we leave the tenths place as is. In this case, the hundredths place is 0 (which is less than 5), so we do not round up. - Result:
Since there is no need to adjust the tenths place (as the hundredths place is 0), the number 5.5 remains as 5.5 when rounded to one decimal place.
Conclusion:
The number 5.5 rounded to one decimal place is 5.5.
Explanation of Rounding:
Rounding numbers is a common mathematical process used to simplify numbers or to express them in a more manageable form. When rounding to a specific decimal place, we focus on the digits to the right of the decimal point. The standard rule for rounding is to look at the digit in the place immediately after the desired rounding place. If this digit is 5 or greater, we round up the target place. If it is less than 5, we leave the target place unchanged.
Rounding is frequently used in everyday life, especially in situations like dealing with currency, measurements, or statistics, where precise figures may not be necessary or practical. In this case, rounding 5.5 to one decimal place makes the number more concise, though it doesn’t change its value since it’s already at the desired precision.